Cheltenham rewind: Remembering Rachael Blackmore's success in 2021

The Queen of Prestbury Park. That was how jockey Rachael Blackmore was known after her stellar showing at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Not only ending the four-day meeting as the top jockey, but becoming the first female to win the Champion Hurdle, Blackmore rightly deserved all the plaudits. And with the 2022 Festival just around the corner, the Paddy Power horse race betting markets are hotting up! Can Blackmore replicate or better her feats from the previous year? Read on as we take a look back at the four days that changed a life.

Champion Hurdle: Honeysuckle

On the opening day of the Festival, Blackmore landed a Grade 1 win and made history when she won the Champion Hurdle with Henry de Bromhead’s Honeysuckle – becoming the first female jockey to manage the feat. In front of the desolate stands, the unbeaten favourite finished a resounding six-and-a-half lengths ahead of Sharjah, and extended Honeysuckle’s run to 12 consecutive victories.

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle: Bob Olinger

Another Grade 1 victory, and another dominant display as Blackmore rode the 6/4 favourite Bob Olinger in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on day two at Cheltenham. Bravemansgame ridden by Harry Cobden had been leading, before Bob Olinger came into contention after the last – and cruised home on the final straight to win by a margin of seven-and-a-half lengths.

Champion Bumper: Sir Gerhard

Blackmore won her second race on day two, also landing trainer Willie Mullins a record 11th win in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper. The gelding had already won twice in the season, but was making his debut having switched from Gordon Elliott’s yard amid the trainer’s controversy. And having gone out at 85/40, Sir Gerhard pipped the favourite Kilcruit to the post – winning by half a length. It was a scintillating finish with the distance between the two being cut dramatically in the final turn, but Mullins was full of praise after the race.

Ryanair Chase: Allaho

Allaho and Blackmore produced a dominant display to record a 12-length victory in the Grade 1 race on day three – also landing Mullins his fourth win in the last six renewals of the Ryanair Chase. The race favourite at 3/1 ran his opponents ragged, building a commanding lead, and the victory never looked in any doubt. Stablemate Tornado Flyer could only place in third, while the 2020 winner Min was pulled up.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: Telmesomethinggirl

Blackmore won her fifth race of the Festival – also adding to de Bromhead’s chances of being named leading trainer – with victory in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdles. After sitting in the rear during the race’s early stages, Blackmore rode the mare expertly – gaining ground on her rivals, and surpassing stablemate Magic Daze before the last, to land a comfortable victory.

JCB Triumph Hurdle: Quilixios

A sixth and final win for Blackmore, in the first race on the final day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Quilixios had set the pace, pressing the leader, 125/1 rank outsider Talking About You, throughout the race, until two out. With Talking About You veering left, Quilixios took the lead, challenged by Adagio, with a two-length lead going into the last. Much like the rest of the week, a good showing in the final stretch saw Blackmore extend her lead, powering up the hill to land another Grade 1 victory – as well as the Ruby Walsh Trophy.

And looking ahead to next week’s Festival – who will Blackmore ride and who will be likely contenders for success? Here are our top picks: